Del Mar Picks- San Clemente Handicap (7/18/2026)

Chris Adams

Written by: Chris Adams

Published: Sat Jul 18, 2026, 9:00 am ET

Read Time: 8 minutes

Horses on turf at Del Mar

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The racing action from Del Mar on Saturday features the San Clemente Handicap. @HandicappingT3 has all the Del Mar picks for the entire card!

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Del Mar Full Card Analysis

Del Mar Picks- San Clemente Handicap (7/18/2026)

Del Mar Picks- San Clemente Handicap (7/18/2026)

Del Mar Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 2:00 PM PT; Claiming $43k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

  • #3 COMEDY TOWN (2-1): Best Bet of the Card. Barn has been solid. Rosario puts this one in with a chance. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
  • #5 OTTO THE CONQUEROR (3-1): Contender. Potentially cycling to a top performance. Trainer is having a great meet.
  • #7 ZEUS' WAR (10-1): Contender. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish. Laprida and Mccanna team up on this one.
  • #6 SPECIAL CLUB (6-1): Contender. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 7 – 6

The Plays

Win: #3 at 1-1

Pick 3 (Races 1-3): #3 with #10,6 with #2,13

Exacta: 3 / 5,7

Del Mar Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 2:32 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $80k; 5 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

  • #10 MS GRAINGER DANGER (6-1): Top Pick. Solid breeding for this spot. Proven competitor at this configuration.
  • #6 THIRSTY CAITLIN (3-1): Major Player. This filly debuts at low odds. Backside buzz? Trainer is having a great meet.
  • #1 I'M SMOKEN HOT (5-1): Major Player. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #9 TAKE REVENGE (6-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 10 – 6 – 1 – 9

The Plays

Win: #10 at 5-1

Exacta: 10 / 6,1,9

Del Mar Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 3:04 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $81k; 5 F Turf; Field of 14 runners.

  • #2 PAVEL IS APPEALING (6-1): Top Pick. Barn has been solid.
  • #13 WINK AND A GRIN (3-1): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Running well of late.
  • #4 PURE CHAOS (4-1): Major Player. Potential to have this pace fall just right. The 87 speed rating is among the best in the field.
  • #7 ZIP ME UP (5-1): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 2 – 13 – 4 – 7

The Plays

Win: #2 at 5-1

Exacta: 2 / 13,4,7

Del Mar Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 3:38 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $100k; 5 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

  • #1 MAKE ME MONEY (8-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Barn has been solid. Strong early pace figs. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
  • #6 JANIE NOT JEANIE (6-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Fresu puts this one in with a chance.
  • #9 QUATTRO PASSI (3-1): Major Player. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
  • #5 HOLMBY (7-2): Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 9 – 5

The Plays

Win: #1 at 5-1

Trifecta: 1 / 6,9 / 6,9,5

Del Mar Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 4:10 PM PT; Claiming $31k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

  • #4 KID DYNASTY (3-1): Top Pick. Stamina to outlast the competition.
  • #8 B GRAYSON (4-1): Major Player. Looks fast enough off previous efforts. Should take a liking to the race shape.
  • #6 YA'LL COME (7-2): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous.
  • #10 UNBRIDLED VISION (8-1): Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 4 – 8 – 6 – 10

The Plays

Win: #4 at 5-2

Exacta: 4 / 8,6,10

Del Mar Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 4:40 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $80k; 5 F Dirt; Field of 14 runners.

  • #9 NET PAR (5-2): Top Pick. Barn has been solid. Looks good based on the 83 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
  • #4 GOLDEN CLUB (7-2): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Top connections on the circuit with Fresu and Lewi.
  • #5 FUMO GRIGIO (6-1): Fringe Contender. Previous success in similar race types. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
  • #6 DICK IRA BONG (12-1): Underneath. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 9 – 4 – 5 – 6

The Plays

Win: #9 at 2-1

Exacta: 9 / 4,5

Del Mar Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 5:10 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $81k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 10 runners.

  • #6 CENTRODELANTERO (4-1): Top Pick. Barn has been solid. Berrios puts this one in with a chance.
  • #4 PACKS A WAHLOP (7-2): Major Player. May be able to take advantage of the pace. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
  • #8 MIDNIGHT STRIKE (5-1): Contender. Has been running well enough recently. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
  • #10 MYTHICAL REEL (6-1): Contender. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.

Selections: 6 – 4 – 8 – 10

The Plays

Win: #6 at 3-1

Exacta: 6 / 4,8,10

Del Mar Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 5:40 PM PT; San Diego Handicap $300k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

  • #5 JOURNALISM (1-1): Top Pick. Could be ready for a top effort. Race sets up perfectly.
  • #6 FULL SERRANO (7-2): Major Player. Can run with these. Seems to be up against the right competition.
  • #2 MIRAHMADI (6-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types.
  • #3 SHEA BRENNAN (12-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 2 – 3

The Plays

Win: #5 at 1-1

Exacta: 5 / 6,2

Del Mar Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 6:10 PM PT; San Clemente Handicap $200k; 1 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.

  • #7 MARJORAM (8-1): Top Pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
  • #6 LIGHT WON UP (10-1): Major Player. Speed figures match this group well. Should still be running strong in the closing stages.
  • #1 RAIDING PARTY (3-1): Major Player. Potential to kick home late. May be able to find the right setup.
  • #5 PEANUTBUTTERBOMBE (8-1): Major Player. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Top connections on the circuit with Fresu and Damato.

Selections: 7 – 6 – 1 – 5

The Plays

Win: #7 at 5-1

Exacta: 7 / 6,1,5

Del Mar Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 6:40 PM PT; Allowance Optional Claiming $81k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

  • #4 MAGNIFY (4-1): Top Pick. Looks good based on the 98 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Should be able to work out a trip.
  • #7 PURE MADNESS (8-1): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
  • #8 CLOUSEAU (7-2): Major Player. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish.
  • #2 BERLIN WALL (8-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 4 – 7 – 8 – 2

The Plays

Win: #4 at 3-1

Exacta: 4 / 7,8,2

Del Mar Picks – Race 11

Post Time: 7:10 PM PT; Maiden Special Weight $80k; 1 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.

  • #6 KOEKKOEK (4-1): Top Pick. Barn has been solid. Stamina to outlast the competition.
  • #3 CONQUER WE MUST (4-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Fresu puts this one in with a chance.
  • #9 PLAGARIST (10-1): Major Player. Should sit a good trip.
  • #11 GO RALPH (20-1): Major Player. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Could be grinding down the competition late.

Selections: 6 – 3 – 9 – 11

The Plays

Win: #6 at 3-1

Exacta: 6 / 3,9,11

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Chris Adams
Chris Adams

Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.

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